As of July 30, 2024, the County will no longer enforce the all-electric provisions of the County Ordinance Code found in Title C, Division C3, Chapter VII, sections C3-62 through C3-63. The County will enforce “electric-ready” requirements in section 150.0(s)-(v) of the 2022 California Energy Code.
County amendments to the 2022 California Green Building Standards Code found in Title C, Division C3, Chapter III of the County Ordinance Code will remain in effect.
On December 7, 2021 the Board of Supervisors approved an ordinance that requires all new construction in unincorporated County areas to use electricity (not natural gas) for water heating, space heating, cooking, clothes drying, indoor and outdoor fireplaces, and decorative appliances. Known as “reach codes,” these ordinances go beyond state minimum requirements to encourage electrification of buildings. New dwellings are also required to have wiring installed that will facilitate installation of battery storage. View the adopted ordinance and press release.
Every three years, the State of California adopts a new Building Standards Code contained within Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations. Cities and Counties may adopt new building standards codes that are more advanced than those required by the state, commonly known as reach codes. These codes require or encourage electrification of buildings and require additional electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure.
The ordinance is in effect as of September 1, 2022.